Selectmen addressing town dams

Wednesday

Nov 7, 2012 at 12:01 AMNov 8, 2012 at 2:15 PM

By BILL HALL

By BILL HALL

Associate Editor

SWANSEA — The repair/replacement of three dams in town would cost between $750,000 and $2.8 million in a worst case scenario according to a report presented by the firm hired by the Board of Selectmen to do a study of the dams.

The three dams, includethe Upper Lewin, better known as the Swansea Dam near Case Junior High School, a dam off Milford Road and another off G.A.R. Highway, near the entrance of the Memorial Park. None of the dams were in danger of failing at this time.

The firm of Greenman Pedersen Inc., with offices in locations around the country including Stoneham, estimated the cost to be $250,000 each, to repair the dams and various amounts for a more thorough overhaul.

The dam on G.A.R. Highway would be estimated at $250,000 for repair, and between $402,500 to $952,500 to replace. The Swansea dam would be between $250,000 and $750,000 to replace and the Milford Pond dam would have an estimated cost of between $427,500 to $1,232,500 if it were to be replaced.

The GPI firm was hired for $20,000 to do a review of the condition of each of the dams, whether the town purchased them or not. The Board of Selectmen had noted that they would like to know the condition of each of the dams, even if they fell into private ownership. The town had been in negotiations with NRG, the company that owns the former Montaup property that includes each of the dams along with other properties in town.

The cost of the replacement included the construction as well as maintenance, engineering, permitting, administration and other aspects of a construction project. The repair of each would be less complex.

Town Administrator James Kern noted that there would be another option for the owner of the dam. They could remove them. However, Mr. Kern pointed out that would be the least desirable outcome since it would also empty out the ponds and turn them into streams.

Selectman Chairman Scott Ventura noted that the board had some concerns since whoever is responsible would have some options.

"We are a little mixed because of the cost, but we also need to know that someone would be responsible if anything happens with the dams," said Chairman Ventura, "We had a situation with the dam on Milford Road behind Target. Some residents were concerned that the water was getting high, so we had to call on someone to release the water. Will whoever owns it have someone available to call on?"

Chairman Ventura noted that he would think the alternative of removing the dams would not go over well.

"It was a surprise to me, with all the conservation and eco system that has spawned here for so many years, that someone has the right to remove the dams and bring the area back to a natural state it was before the dams were there, but they do," the chairman said. "We have all grown up with the ponds being there, but that (removing the dams) would be an option if someone did not want to maintain the dams."

Both chairman Ventura and Mr. Kern noted that the dams are not in danger at this time.